Euronews

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has announced that the foreign ministry will handle talks with world powers on the country’s nuclear programme.

The move appears to be an attempt to improve diplomatic relations after years of what the West has considered a hardline Iranian stance.

There have been indications that Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif could either lead the negotiating team or appoint another foreign ministry official.

He is seen as a moderate politician and has experience living in and negotiating with the West. Zarif was previously Iran’s envoy to the United Nations.

No date has been set for the resumption of talks between Iran and the group of six western nations on the issue of the country’s nuclear programme. They have demanded that Tehran cease uranium enrichment.

Nuclear expects have said that Rouhani’s move could bring more flexibility from Iran, however warned that a quick deal on the decade-old dispute was unlikely.